MTV (UK and Ireland)

MTV is a general entertainment channel operated by Viacom International Media Networks Europe, available in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The channel was launched as part of MTV Networks Europe localization strategy in 1997. MTV UK (previously MTV UK & Ireland and MTV One) was launched on 1 July 1997. The channel was set up to provide audiences with local artists and more relevant music content. Prior to the localization of MTV in Europe, the region was served by MTV Europe which was launched on 1 August 1987. Since February 2011 MTV has been solely an entertainment channel and relocated to the entertainment section on Sky, and later Virgin Media.

The channel is in over 10 million homes in the UK and Ireland.

Availability

From its inception MTV UK & Ireland served the countries Ireland and the United Kingdom. For a short period the channel was made available free-to-air in New Zealand between July 1997 to June 1998 under a special agreement between TVNZ and MTV Networks Europe. The channel was broadcast on analogue from the Astra 1A satellite as part of the Sky Multichannels subscription package. In April 2001, the channel became a digital only channel within the UK and Ireland. As of 2014, MTV is available within the United Kingdom on Virgin Media, Sky and Freeview (via VuTV on channel 238). Within the Republic of Ireland, MTV is available through Sky Ireland, Virgin Media Ireland, Vodafone TV and Eir TV.